Church History Matters

The Saints’ westward journey carried an urgent mission: build temples for sacred ordinances, family sealings, and proxy work. Explore Brigham Young’s vision for the Salt Lake Temple, the improvised spaces used before its completion, and the formidable challenges of granite, railroads, political conflict, and a flawed foundation. Discover why the St. George Temple became an essential bridge while Salt Lake’s monumental project continued.

Trace the evolution of Latter-day Saint temple worship from biblical and Restoration foundations through Kirtland and Nauvoo. Explore the emergence of baptisms for the dead, endowments, sealings, and other ordinances, along with the challenges surrounding plural marriage. Follow Wilford Woodruff’s work in St. George as temple practices became standardized and paved the way for the Salt Lake Temple.

Patrick A. Bishop, a Latter-day Saint history researcher, and Joseph F. Brickey, a classical and forensic artist, investigate a disputed daguerreotype claimed to depict Joseph Smith. They trace its discovery, compare it with portraits, death-mask evidence, skull studies, and firsthand descriptions, and explain their 3D reconstruction methods. Could this be the Prophet’s face, or an unidentified lookalike?

Porter Rockwell’s legendary image meets the historical record. Explore disputed killings, the Boggs and Worrell cases, the murky Aiken affair, and the evidence behind tales of his invulnerability. Alongside the violence and folklore emerges a more complicated figure: a loyal friend, devoted churchman, kind host, sharp wit, law officer, and deeply imperfect man.

Porter Rockwell’s legend is put to the test, from the disputed Boggs assassination claims to the documented shooting of Franklin Worrell. Explore his early church life, his dramatic rescue of Joseph Smith, the road to Carthage, and the grief that followed the martyrdom. Along the way, sensational sources and frontier folklore meet the surviving historical record.

Was Porter Rockwell the mysterious shooter who nearly killed Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs? This lively investigation traces Missouri’s violence, Rockwell’s fearsome reputation, John C. Bennett’s accusations, alleged confessions, competing suspects, and the evidence that kept the case unresolved. It also explores Rockwell’s grueling imprisonment and triumphant return to Nauvoo.

Jack Welch, a Latter-day Saint scholar and founder of Scripture Central, explores Moroni’s role in the Restoration. They trace his appearances to Joseph Smith, his guardianship of the plates, and his loyalty to Mormon. The conversation connects September 21 with Jewish holy days, repentance, covenant renewal, and new beginnings, while celebrating Moroni Day and the Book of Mormon’s enduring legacy.

Matt Waldrop, a political advisor and longtime confidant of Mitt Romney, recounts Romney’s journey from business leader to major-party presidential nominee. The conversation explores the “Mormon Moment,” religious prejudice, the white horse folklore used against him, and Romney’s approach to impeachment and Senate independence. It also considers his lasting influence on Latter-day Saint political identity and public life.

They dig into the origins and authenticity of the White Horse Prophecy and the tangled evidence behind it. They contrast weak late recollections with stronger early references to a Constitution “hanging by a thread.” They trace how the story evolved, how it has been used in modern politics, and why leaders have formally rejected violent or conspiratorial interpretations.

A deep dive into Ezra Taft Benson’s post‑Washington years and his fierce anti‑communist stance during the Cold War. They unpack ties to conservative movements and controversies over political influence. The conversation follows his shift from political firebrand to a leader emphasizing daily scripture study, the Book of Mormon campaign, and pastoral teachings on pride and the Atonement.